The Need for Change

Back in 2017, Hon Nikki Kaye, @nikkikaye said "Digital fluency is now an essential life skill for our young people, so we must ensure they have the skills and knowledge they need to engage in an increasingly digital world." Personally, as Assistant Principal, ICT Lead and teacher, I have been excited about the announcement of this whole 'digital shakeup' for our NZ school curriculum. This change was needed for our education system and has made me carefully considering my goals in my respective areas of responsibility. I wrote a blog post after attending one of the Digital Technologies / Hangarau Matihiko (DT&HM) Consultation workshops in 2017 in which I've added some valuable links.

Anand Timothy, eLearning Enthusiast and co-founder and Director: Business Development at eNyota Learning, also wrote: "Technology is making our world more interesting… it is changing our perspectives… it is redefining previous definitions of normal. Technology has become the great disruptor; the magic wand that gives us the power to make or do things that were previously unthinkable."

One thing that makes me cringe lately, is when I read comments from educators who talk about how they hear and read about research that is warning educators about the effects of 'screen time' on our students....
It makes me wonder how many educators are aware that Computer Science can also be taught through engaging games and puzzles that use cards, string, crayons and lots of running around (no 'screen time'!). This can then be integrated into the curriculum through activities and exercises.

I also feel a bit frustrated, when people make comments like "this is a separate digital curriculum" and "we already do this at our school"... hmm, yes, but there is so much more to the [new] DT&HM curriculum...
In my humble opinion, I do not see this as a separate digital curriculum. In fact, the re-organised Technology learning area still has the three strands of Technological Practice, Technological Knowledge, and Nature of Technology. The only difference is that there is now five technological areas instead of three. The new content covers Computational thinking for digital technologies and Designing and developing digital outcomes as Progress Outcomes.

I can fully understand that there are [some] uncertainty, hopes and fears about what this means for schools from 2018 onward. However, there are opportunities to upskill... one such opportunity came through the 'Digital Passport' created by The Mind Lab by Unitec "which empowers teachers in New Zealand to realise the opportunities of the new digital curriculum and bring 21st century skills to today’s students."

I gained some valuable insights after completing two of the Workshops, but do not consider myself an expert now. However, I truly believe that your attitude determines your direction... what you do with this [new] exciting change is up to you, my quest for knowledge will carry on... and I will guide my school colleagues along on their journey to the best of my abilities.

'The Tweet'

References:

NZN. Major education shake-up as schools shift to digital focus, Retrieved from: Newshub 

Timothy, A (2016). How Technology Benefits Learning. Article written for eLearning Industry

The Mind Lab (Monday 19 March). New education platform empowers Kiwi teachers in the 21st century, Retrieved from their Media release

~ "People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs ~